As I get older, my sartorial focus continues to shift toward building a wardrobe with versatile, quality items. I used to believe that a high price tag meant a high-quality piece. However, those don’t always go hand-in-hand, and that’s especially true for your jewelry thanks to a new-to-me brand called AUrate. AUrate seeks to create more transparency in the jewelry business by cutting out the middle man to bring direct-to-consumer fine jewelry at fair prices. AUrate is doing its part to give back, too. Each piece is created with ethical and sustainable business practices in mind, and every sale supports literacy efforts in the United States by giving a book to a child in need. (I’ve talked about the Madison Reading Project before, so you know that’s a cause I can get behind!)

The collection itself is gorgeous and offers understated, everyday jewelry along with sophisticated, statement-making options. I came across an interview with Sophie Kahn, one of the brand’s founders, and she summed it up best: “We’re not focused on one aesthetic. We understand a woman is multi-faceted, that she’s going through different moments, different times, and we’ve adapted our aesthetic to that.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, I gravitated toward the collection of gold earrings when AUrate reached out to see if I’d like to collaborate. I initially fell in love with these bar earrings, and I was sold when I realized it was an ear jacket. It’s such a beautiful way to put a modern spin on a classic piece of jewelry. (My earrings happen to be gold vermeil, but these and all AUrate pieces can be crafted in 14k or 18k yellow, rose, or white gold.) But what I was struck by most was the quality of the jewelry. They’re substantial without weighing my earlobe down and seem like they should cost a lot more than they do. I have no doubt that these will be a lifelong addition to my jewelry collection.